In our final excerpt from his new book on the history of solar power, Let It Shine, author John Perlin describes a key moment in the debate over big, centralized solar sites and smaller, distributed rooftop panels.
In an excerpt from his new book Let It Shine, John Perlin reveals how one of the first actions of the new Reagan administration was to dim the lights on what had been a promising start for an American solar energy program. Solar in the U.S. has yet to fully recover.
Analysis: Solar energy writer John Perlin argues that Solyndra's fall from grace reflects a bad choice in technique, and not a fundamental problem with solar energy.
Some environmental advocates say the federal government is ignoring the real future of solar energy: photovoltaic cells on almost every roof. But even supporters acknowledge rooftop solar isn't the complete answer to the energy question — yet.
Big money, big energy and big environmentalism join forces to support big solar energy projects on federal land in the Southwest. But could these "green" projects actually be anti-environmental boondoggles in the making?
Niyazi Serdar Sariciftci, inventor of the plastic solar cell, reviews the past, present and bright future of his invention with Miller-McCune's solar guru, John Perlin.
Fresh from the European Union photovoltaic conference, our John Perlin takes on some of the misconceptions clouding the solar power movement.
John Perlin, sitting on a solar energy panel at the European photovoltaics conference, laments America's lost lead in the field.
As it's announced that thee-quarters of new photovoltaic systems are going up in Europe, it's fair to ask what happened to the former U.S. dominance in solar.
Arava Power Company, a pioneering solar energy firm, wants to make the Israeli desert bloom — with photovoltaic panels.
Advances in technology make low-efficiency but wide areas solar energy newly practical.
Rural electrification using solar energy may find a match made in heaven when linked to drip irrigation.
Solar power's portability has made it a go-to technology for projects out in the boonies, like oil production.
Bertrand Piccard has unveiled the Solar Impulse, the precursor to a craft expected to both make a sun-powered circumnavigation and solar energy cool.
Francisco DeVries invents a financing mechanism that makes rooftop solar affordable in Berkeley and other cities across California.
Solar lanterns are already making some headway in India's poorest areas, and a new study suggests they could be a bigger part of the effort to reduce fossil fuel use while improving lives.
Analysis: Massive solar projects are sexy but bring a raft of land-use, technical and distribution headaches with them. Perhaps tapping America's roofs could provide some cover.
In a nondescript industrial park near Portland, Ore., lies a solar gem that just might save the American Dream.
Analysis: Writer Bruce Allen claims that picking the right solar options can power America's clean electricity and transportation future.
Like the advice given to Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate, some people think the future of solar cells lies in plastics. Here's why.
Solar is a great theoretical answer to climate concerns and energy independence. Although some nettlesome questions keep it from becoming a practical solution, skyrocketing oil makes some answers more palatable.
The German experience offers an excellent model for creating a solar cell marketplace.
How the in-space success of the world's first solar cell-powered satellite encouraged their commercialization across the globe.
John Perlin chronicles solar electrical generation from wishful thinking to realized dream.
